Why it issues: After a current security scare regarding RTX 4090 energy cables, some {hardware} firms plan to check strategies to avoid them totally. Asus supplied an early take a look at a brand new GPU connection customary in Could, and a just lately leaked patent sheet gives a better take a look at the expertise’s design objectives.
Trusted leaker Momono has posted a spec sheet for putting in graphics playing cards with out energy cables. The design includes a brand new port on the motherboard that works equally to the first PCIe x16 slot. The papers element a dock referred to as the HPCE connector, which sits subsequent to and is immediately aligned with the PCIe x16 port. Suitable GPUs would come with a brand new corresponding GC-HPWR gold finger subsequent to the PCIe x16 gold finger.
When Asus demonstrated a GeForce RTX 4070 using the brand new system at Computex and the Bilibili World 2023 exhibition, observers reported that it might ship as much as 600W. That wattage is sufficient for the flagship 4090 at inventory settings, however overclocking and future high-end GPUs might exceed 600W. Nonetheless, designers seem to have revised that spec to ship a minimum of 600W to satisfy the calls for of high-end graphics playing cards, with no higher restrict said.
One other requirement is that the dock does not take up an excessive amount of house, which is one motive the chosen design relies on one used for server elements and recognized for compactness. Utilizing mature expertise additionally ensures reliability, reducing the probabilities of a repeat of Nvidia’s 12VHPWR controversy.
HPCE connector pic.twitter.com/3RBTUhcQsg
– 188å· (@momomo_us) August 28, 2023
Final yr, customers started reporting instances of frying and melting connectors for the RTX 4090’s 12VHPWR cables. The problem ultimately led to a class-action lawsuit in opposition to Nvidia. Whereas the corporate claimed it detected just a few dozen incidents, which it blamed on person error, different analyses alleged structural issues and the up to date PCI-SIG design. Nvidia later started quietly transport GPUs with the safer connectors, whereas the HPCE port presents a completely new answer that is not weak to bending.
Asus’s cableless RTX 4070 must be obtainable later this yr or early 2024. Nonetheless, it’s unclear whether or not it can embody an choice for conventional connectors, which would offer prospects with extra flexibility as they change between motherboards which will or might not characteristic HPCE ports.